Dangerous Figures: Florida Drunk Driving Statistics

Florida’s drunk driving statistics can be, well, sobering. Florida has a lot of wonderful things going for it. Gorgeous beaches, fun amusement parks, and a wonderful ecological system are just a few. Unfortunately, Florida has a problem. A drunk driving problem.

In 2012, 2.1% of Florida survey respondents who were asked whether they had driven after drinking too much within the past 30 days said yes. While 2.1% doesn’t sound like a large number, it is higher than the national average of 1.9%, and anything above zero is unsafe.

The CDC reports that 28 people die daily across the nation because of DUIs. In 2014, almost ⅓ of all traffic-related deaths were due to a drunk or impaired driver. That’s almost 10,000 lives lost yearly because of poor decision making. That’s 10,000 people who didn’t have to die. And that number doesn’t include the survivors who must live with injuries for the rest of their lives, or those who have lost family members because of someone’s decision to drive drunk.

While the statistics are horrible, thankfully, Florida is working hard to educate the public and crackdown on DUIs through interventions like ignition interlocks. But what does that mean for the rest of us on the road?

Avoid Drunk Drivers: Drive Defensively and Be Aware

The best way to avoid a car accident is to drive defensively and to be aware of other drivers on the road. Anticipate their movements and if you see someone driving aggressively or recklessly—steer clear! Drunk drivers are poor drivers. They can generally be spotted because of swerving, zig-zagging, and other erratic behavior.

From 2003 to 2012, almost 8,500 Floridians were killed because of drunk driving accidents. Almost half of those deaths were individuals between the ages of 21-34, with the majority being males. Florida had the third highest deaths after Texas and California.

Perhaps one of the scariest statistics, MADD reports that, “An average drunk driver has driven drunk over 80 times before [their] first arrest.” That’s a huge number! And while most of us may think that drunk driving is a nighttime problem, the truth is, people can drive drunk at any time of the day. Whether they decided to throw back a few drinks at lunch or are driving home drunk during morning rush hour, drunk driving is not a nighttime epidemic. Unfortunately, just knowing these stats or stats regarding who is driving drunk don’t keep us any safer.

MADD has some great advice if you believe you see someone who is driving drunk. Safely gather as much information as you can about their vehicle and pull over to the side of the road. Call 911 and inform the authorities so they can help protect other motorists. Never approach a possible drunk or aggressive driver.

Hit By a Drunk Driver? Consult a Tampa Personal Injury Lawyer

Your life shouldn’t be derailed because someone else chose to drive drunk. If you have been injured in a drunk driving accident or have lost a loved one because of a drunk driver, it is important to speak with a Tampa personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

A Tampa personal injury lawyer can help you better understand any legal recourse you may have to help you pay for medical bills, cover lost time at work, and save for necessary medical care in the future.

Drunk drivers make a choice to drive under the influence. That choice can have horrible ramifications. You and your family shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s mistakes. Make sure you get the help you need and consult with a Tampa personal injury lawyer today.